Alan Hinett of Windmill Hill Antiques.
Windmill Hill Antiques was opened by Alan Hinett, who collects studio pottery and has a weakness for portraits. It occupies 17th century Grade II-listed premises with a 19th century shop frontage. He started the firm in 2005 and it has been operating from a barn in a nearby village.
Hinett says: “Forty per cent of our trade is conducted online, hence the importance of a physical shop. Having a bricks and mortar business is vital I think to engage with customers and showcase stock. People still love to browse and interact with someone.”
Hinett sells to interior designers, hotels and B&Bs looking for items to complete a colour scheme.
“Antiques are very much interiorsbased these days with customers mixing the look”, he adds.
